The Difference Between Figuratively & Literary?

Question

I don't understand the difference between figuratively and literary speaking, when do you use which? Give examples please...

Answer 1

Figuratively is metaphoric, and literally (not literary) tells it exactly like it is.  In translations, a literal translation of a foreign word or phrase is an exact translation; whereas a figurative one is more imaginative. Poets use a lot of figurative images, such as "The night has a thousand eyes; the day, but one."  Translating it literally,The sky is full of stars at night, but in the daytime, all you can see is the sun.  I hope this helps to explain it for you.    

Answer 2

I'm going to guess that you mean 'literally' and not 'literary.'  Literally means exactly as stated, actual, free from exaggeration.

Figuratively is the opposite of literally.  It means metaphorically.

As an example, let's take the phrase A Bull in a China Shop.  This could be a literal statement if a bull actually was in a china shop.  But more likely it's a figurative statement because a person is being likened to a bull.

Answer 3

Figurative is to make a metaphor. Literary is to paraphrase a literary expression.

Bull in a china shop is a good figurative expression.

Two guys on fishing trip: "To bait or not to bait" is a literary expression since it paraphrases the expression from Shakespeare's "To be or not to be."